Is it time for January market statistics from the NWMLS already? Yes it is. Here’s the NWMLS press release. “The market seems to be gaining momentum, and buyers seem to be feeling more confident,” reports Northwest MLS director Meribeth Hutchings. Agents are more optimistic and banks are getting more realistic on pricing bank-owned homes and…
Bill Virgin: Will Recession Hit Seattle Harder than Elsewhere?
Yet another great editorial from Bill Virgin: Once considered recession-proof, Seattle no longer is Recessions, Seattle has long believed, were phenomena that happened to other, less fortunate, less blessed and, frankly, less gifted parts of the world. … Until now. As recently as the first half of 2008, you could find plenty of people who…
Zillow: Seattle Home Sellers Take Increasing Losses
Zillow has posted their latest quarterly home value reports. Their charts for the Seattle area include a graph of the percentage of homes sold at a loss (approaching 30%) as well as a chart showing the percentage of recent buyers with negative equity (over 50% of 2007 buyers). Interesting stuff from Zillow as usual. You…
Ron Sims: HUD Deputy Secretary
Recall King County Executive Ron Sims’ “tweet” back in September: By early next year, many will come to regret their decision to delay buying a home. Now word has it that this housing sage will be heading to DC to take the number 2 position at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Perhaps his…
Matthew Gardner Predictions vs. Reality
Incredible. Even with the major continuing job losses and home prices in unabated decline, Matthew Gardner continues to spread the word of a recovery for Seattle in 2009. Here are a couple of slides from a PowerPoint presentation Matthew Gardner used in a class for local real estate agents on the 19th: Jobs will lead…